Children & Families

There’s loads to do in Chamonix to keep the whole family happy. Children's activities range from skiing to husky sledding in winter, and from rock climbing to white water rafting in summer.

And when you want some quality time to yourself, Mountain Lifestyle can keep everyone smiling with our flexible and friendly childcare options.

Family Activities

Chamonix is a great place for a family holiday, there are plenty of activities to keep kids entertained in both summer and winter. This list is far from exhaustive, but here are some ideas of great activities that you and the kids can enjoy!

Year-Round Activities

Montenvers Train & Mer de Glace: Take the rack and pinion train up through the forest to the glacier; the ride in itself is an adventure and once you are at the top you can walk or take a gondola down to the edge of the glacier. There is a crystal display, ice cave, glacier exhibition, café, shop and restaurant.Included in the Mont Blanc Unlimited in winter & the Mont Blanc Multipass in summer

Alpine Luge Coaster – a cross between a roller coaster and a toboggan run! Open in summer and winter at the Planards ski area, access via the chairlift (included in your ticket price).Free descent with the Mont Blanc Unlimited in winter & the Mont Blanc Multipass in summer

Jardin d’Eau: Saturday morning baby (under 4 years) swim session in the children’s pool at the Sports Centre. For an hour the children’s' pool is warmed up a couple of degrees and filled with inflatable toys and water jets. Times vary, so enquire at the sports centre for details.

Saint Bernard Kennels: A breeding centre for the famous Saint Bernard mountain dogs. The Elevage de Saint-bernard aux Houches is located between Servoz and Les Houches, at the Aire de la Fontaine exit. Guided visits last half an hour. The centre is open every day except Sundays and Monday mornings from 10:00-11:30 and 14:00-17:30.

Richard Bozon Sport Centre: Swimming pool with baby pool, jacuzzi and a water slide make this a good option for rainy days. There is also an indoor climbing wall, an ice rink and a gym (adults only).

Snowshoe Hiking: There are lots of trails in and around the Chamonix valley, just waiting to be explored. This is a great activity for all ages and you might even spot some wildlife!Find out more about snowshoeing here

Ski Joering: There's a good chance you've never heard of this, neither had we until recently! Ski joering is an ancient form of transport that consists of being pulled along on skis by a horse, who you control with a special harness attached to the reins. You can try out this unusual activity in Servoz, next to the church, every Thursday afternoon from 15:00.

Snow Monkeys:

Snowshoe adventures for children aged from 4 to 8 years old. Let them experience all the fun of the mountains with snowshoe hikes, animal spotting, orienteering, igloo building and more under the guidance of qualified mountain leaders. They can join in for full days (lunch included) or half days (with or without lunch).Find details and prices of Snow Monkeys activities here

Summer Activities

Parc des Loisirs: Opposite the Montenvers train station by the Planards nursery slopes, this leisure area offers trampolines, carousels, mini-motorbikes and more. Plenty of activities for 1-12 year olds, including the famous Alpine Luge Coaster (see above)!

Accro Parc: Ropes, bridges and Tarzan swings through the forest at Les Gaillands. Suitable for all ages, with a special course designed for the very littlest monkeys (minimum height 1m).

Merlet Animal Park: Meet the famous marmots in their natural habitat! Wildlife such as marmots, deer, chamois, llamas, bouquetin and goats can easily be spotted as they go about their business in this nature park up above Les Houches. Lots of short signposted hikes that look out over stunning views over the valley and beyond. There is a restaurant, visitor centre and toilet facilities.

Paradis des Praz: A woodland paradise behind the golf course in Les Praz; safe paddling lake with rope swings and stepping stones, pony rides, playground, kiosk serving snacks and drinks, signposted hikes.Free entry, although you are encouraged to buy refreshments from the kiosk if you want to make use of the picnic tables and toilet facilities.

Gorges de la Diosaz: One of Chamonix's many natural wonders, the gorges are a short train ride away in the pretty village of Servoz. A wooden walkway takes you deep into a natural chasm in the earth, past plunging cascades and dripping rock formations. Suitable for young children but not advisable with a pram or pushchair.

Mini Tourist Train: Short tour of Chamonix’s sights with commentary in various languages. The train leaves every 30 minutes from the Post Office from 10am to 7pm with pick-ups at the Montenvers train station and the Aiguille du Midi. Runs from start of May to end of September.Discounted price with the Mont Blanc Multipass

Childcare & Crèches

Le Petit VIP: Arts and crafts day care for children from 3 years old. Regular themed events, mini discos and creative play sessions.

Evolution 2: Whether it’s winter or summer Evolution2 have something for your children to enjoy. In winter they offer the ‘panda club’ where your children can take their first ski/snowboard lesson, or build on their skills. In summer they can enjoy some of the experiences that Chamonix has to offer from biking, climbing, and water fun.

Oui Care: Fancy an evening out without the little ones, or just some time on the slopes without having to worry about what the children are up to? Oui Care has a selection of childcare options to choose from, including qualified nannies and babysitters with many years experience. They are all first aid trained and have been educated in looking after children at altitude. Oui Care offer evening and night-time services, daytime care, shared nanny services and activity classes.

Childcare

Fancy an evening out without the little ones, or just some time on the slopes without having to worry about what the children are up to?

Baby-Cham is a trusted Chamonix agency with a selection of childcare options to choose from, including qualified nannies and babysitters with extensive experience. They are all first aid trained and have been educated in looking after children at altitude.

Baby-Cham offer evening and night-time services, from as little as 3 hours up to a week or longer.

Handy hints from Mountain Base

Even if your child is usually shy, Baby-Cham's nannies have a host of activities to bring them out of their shell. Experiences that they won't have had at home, such as sledging or snowman building, will give them plenty to get excited about.

Cots & Highchairs

There are some things that are just not practical to bring on a plane, which is why we supply them here in Chamonix.

We can provide travel cots and high chairs for just 20€ each for the duration of your stay. Please book them in advance of your stay, so that we can have them reserved and ready for your arrival.

Please note the cot is a travel cot and comes with a standard travel cot mattress. Due to health and safety Mountain Base does not provide an additional mattress with the cot. There is a sheet and mattress protector provided for the cot but you will need to provide your own sleeping bag/bedding etc for it.

The cots are 60cm x 120cm and are suitable for babies/children up to 2.5 year old.

Handy hints from Mountain Base

Save yourself from having to fly with heavy items or from having to pay excess baggage charges by renting large items in resort; some sports shops hire out 4x4 prams so that you can do some family off-roading. Contact us to find out where you can hire other useful but bulky baby items.

Family Ski Pass

Skiing "en famille" is made easier with a family pass that offers greater value for families with two or more children.

The family lift pass offers a set price for two adults and up to five children, so it offers great value for larger families!

There are two options - Chamonix Le Pass and Mont Blanc Unlimited - you can read more about them both on our lift passes page.

If you want to truly explore Chamonix and take advantage of everything that the resort has to offer then we recommend opting for the Mont Blanc Unlimited pass as it includes lots of add-ons that are great family activities.

Family Ski Areas

Chamonix has a wide choice of dedicated learner areas with gentle slopes and slow lifts to help you find your feet before you progress to the bigger slopes!

Most are included on your Chamonix Le Pass and Mont Blanc Unlimited lift passes, or you can buy separate tickets for each area on-site.

Le Savoy: At the foot of Brevent and just a few minutes walk from the centre of Chamonix, Le Savoy is the most easily accessible of the ski areas. With 2 drag lifts, a magic carpet and a sledging hill it is ideal for young children and the first choice for many ski instructors to bring beginners.

Les Planards: Located just behind Chamonix train station, Les Planards is also very easy to get to. It is a larger area than Le Savoy and has the dual benefit of having a nursery slope with a small draglift as well as 2 longer slopes with a chairlift to progress to once you've mastered the basics. They have a snow garden for young children, complete with magic carpet and fun obstacles for them to ski their way around. It also has the "Alpine Coaster", a 2 seater roller coaster that whizzes through the trees and alongside the ski slopes!

Les Chosalets: A charming little ski area in Argentiere, between Les Grands Montets and the cross-country ski trails. Just one drag lift and a wide gentle slope, it is a great family area as you can go for a walk in the surrounding forest, sledge down the side of the piste or go for a crepe and a hot chocolate at the little snack chalet.

La Vormaine: Stretched out at the foot of La Tour, La Vormaine is great for adult skiers and snowboarders who may be part of a mixed group - beginners can stay at the bottom while more experienced riders head up top and you can all meet up for lunch or coffee breaks. 4 drag lifts, 2 green pistes and 1 blue piste allow you to build your confidence before hitting the bigger ski area. If you're feeling lucky you can have a bash at the snow park - 3 modules designed to ease you in to the world of freestyle.

La Poya: Tucked away at the far end of the valley in the small village of Vallorcine, La Poya is a quaint little ski area with 2 drag lifts, 3 pistes and a snow garden. There is a small café at the bottom serving crepes, hot dogs and drinks.